Sand.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Sand. At the mere mention of the word sand, your mind may instantly go to many things. Some probably begin to think of the beach, and the sand between their toes as they walk next to the ocean’s waves. Some may think of childhood memories spending countless hours building castles and driving toy cars in the box in the backyard that was full of it. Some may think of the desert as the massive sand dunes slowly crawl their way across the vast expanse of nothing. I’m thinking about time itself. Let me explain.
I have an hourglass on my mind. I don’t know why, but for some reason I woke up thinking about the all too quickly passing sands of an hourglass. At the forefront of my mind was an image of my life, quickly passing by in front of me. And I began to realize that once the sand passes from the top of the hourglass to the bottom, it’s gone. Some of you would say, “Just turn the hourglass over and start again.” Not this hourglass, though. Once the sand passes through the narrow opening in the middle, there’s no going back.
This sand represents opportunities that God has laid before me to be used for His honor and glory that I have missed. It pictures the decisions I've made that were not good ones. It shines as a monument of all the times I've said, “Oops!” in a light-hearted way on the outside, yet was crying over the shame of life’s proverbial spilled milk on the inside. The sand I see at the bottom of the hourglass reminds me that I’ve blown it more times that I’d like to publicly admit.
It also reminds me of some victories. It takes my mind back to moments of mountaintop joy. It brings back memories of mission trips with amazing teenagers. It recalls pictures of happy moments when I felt on top of the world. I remember things like the birth of children that mean the world to me. Some of this already passed sand brings me joy.
But whether the sand was for good times or not so good times, it’s gone. It’s history. I can’t bring it back, if I want to or not. So now I look above, to the top half of the hourglass. There’s some sand left there, though it’s passing faster the farther I go.
This sand reminds me that there will be some regrets in the future, and some mistakes yet to be made. It reminds me that there will also be some victories ahead, and some great memories that will be cherished. It’s all in the future, whether distant or just moments away. Regardless of good or bad, it will become the story that is my life.
So today I have a choice to make. As I examine my life I see so many walls and barriers that I have allowed myself to build due to past heartbreaks and brokenness. I am holding myself back from so much of what God wants for me, both now and in the future that is to come. Will I continue to hunker down, hidden behind the safety of the barricades I have begun to be used to? Or will I allow Him to take His holy wrecking ball to these walls, and thus allow me to experience the joy, peace, and hope of love – trust – excitement – again?
The sand is passing – what will you choose? Join me in making this prayer that God has placed in my heart today yours as well: May the steps of Your plan be the dance of my life. May the truth of Your Word be the song of my heart. And may the fire in Your eyes be the vision of my purpose.



That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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